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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Why I Raise My Children Without God

The essay referenced in this POST appeared in CNN. It was prefaced
by a warning that it might contain inappropriate material. I read it
and thought, "Inappropriate to whom?" I assumed I would see vulgar or
violent comments or I might see overly exuberant rants that sometimes
accompanies anti-religious essays. But nothing like that.

CNN PRODUCER NOTE TXBlue08, a mother of two teenagers in Texas, blogs about raising her children without religion.
She said she shared this essay on CNN iReport because 'I just felt
there is not a voice out there for women/moms like me. I think people
misunderstand or are fearful of people who don’t believe in God.'

When my son was around 3 years old, he used to ask me a lot of questions about heaven. For over a year, I lied to him and made up stories... Like most parents, I love my child so much that ... I wanted him to feel safe and loved and
full of hope. But ...I would have to make stuff up...I would have to brainwash him into believing stories that didn’t
make sense.
One day...he would know that I built an elaborate tale—not unlike the one we tell children about Santa...I thought it was only right to be honest with my children. I am a non-believer...

Committee For Skeptical Inquiry

"I was dismayed by the rising tide of belief in the paranormal and lack of adequate scientific examination of these claims... Books such as ... the 'Chariots of the Gods ... 'Worlds in Collision'... 'The Bermuda Triangle' were widely popular... I was distressed that my students confused astrology with astronomy...without the benefit of scientific critique. Most of my scientific colleagues were equally perplexed by what was happening,..."

Paul Kurtz, founder

What is Skepticism

What is Science

Science is that discipline that validates observations and proposes explanations base on the Scientific Method:- Formulate the Question- Propose a Falsifiable Hypothesis- Predict based on the Hypothesis- Test the Predictions- Validate the results as Repeatable- Submit Honestly for Peer Review

However,

A little learning is a dangerous thing;Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.- Alexander Pope, 1709

Science never claims dogma and never says, "the debate is over." It requires a never-ending refinement of hypotheses based on continuous improvement of tests and insight.

Test for Scientific Worthiness

Micheal Shermer is the author of Why People Believe Weird Things and How We Believeand is Editor-in-Chief of Skeptic magazine. He often makes personal appearances on TV shows that wish to present a balance perspective relative to claims of the paranormal or fringes of belief systems. He has offered ten tests to determine the scientific worthiness of any claim. Click here for our summary of those tests.

The above Widget is maintained by WhatsUpWithThat.com. They have posted no explanation as to why it is stalled in 2014. They are also aware of the misspelling of Monthly.